Green synthesis and application of biochar derived from alien vegetation wood for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Abstract

Invasive alien vegetation brought about by various human activities has grown to be a significant threat to the ecosystem and its diversity; therefore, control strategies to combat this threat are being explored. This review aims to investigate the prospect of using biochar specifically from alien vegetation as a support material for the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell electrocatalyst, highlighting the need to move to green energy and invest in Eco conservation. The use of biochar derived from alien vegetation as carbon support for the platinum (Pt) electrocatalyst for PEM fuel cells is an interesting field that is slowly gaining momentum. Biochar has the potential to be used as a carbon support due to its high specific surface, area, and intrinsic property needed for an electrocatalyst support. The current widely used electrocatalyst, which is Pt supported on carbon black, has shown to suffer from corrosion which weakens the bond between the support and the Pt nanoparticles, leading to instability and resistance; therefore, alternative supports are needed also to decrease the Pt loading as it is expensive. The focus of this review is on the benefits and prospects of these cheap green resources in increasing efforts to conserve the environment.